Open call for participation to “A knocking bird” an alternative exploration of Sint-Niklaas with noTours

Open call for participation to A knocking bird / an alternative exploration of Sint-Niklaas withnoTours

May 3 to May 10, 2013 – Sint-Niklaas (Belgium)

Within the framework of the project, A knocking bird, residents and European visitors to
Sint-Niklaas are invited to explore the city in a search for nature, together with sound artists
of notours.org and WIT Urban Team (www.wit-urbanteam.com) during a stay in Sint-
Niklaas (Belgium).

Anybody interested can apply for free travel, accommodation and meals for one week to
participate to this residency and for this event.

This alternative tour of the city, experimenting with new media and a cultural programme, are
the ingredients of this stay, including free time and time to meet the people of Sint-Niklaas.

The event offers surprising, enriching and unexpected encounters with the city of Sint-Niklaas,
its history and its inhabitants and encourages participants to reflect upon European urban
realities and the contemporary human condition in a broader sense.

Together with local inhabitants visitors will get the chance to embark on an alternative
exploration of Sint-Niklaas and learn to use the techniques and technologies of sound
recording. Memories and feelings about their respective own towns will be exchanged
between local people and visitors, exploring the local area and experiencing everyday life in
the city. Walking is perceived as an essential part of the visit and as a way to learn about the
city.

We aim to achieve together with European visitors a collective sound walk, conceived as an
alternative and non-touristic gps-audio-guide with narratives about the city, about nature
in the city and about living together, with soundscapes and the personal stories of the
participants.

No previous knowledge is required. The international event is open to everybody with
an interest in sound and the city to share memories and ideas, regardless of educational
background, knowledge, etc. The workshop is based on an exchange of experiences from the
participants’ the daily life.

The workshop, travel and accommodation expenses are covered entirely by Grundtvig,Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union.

About noTours

NoTours is a project by Escoitar.org that allows editing a place with sounds. This means that you can attach sounds to a territory and that later, when you go physically to that place you can listen to them. The trick is using our noTours Android Application that detects your location (via GPS) and plays your audios exactly in the place where you decided.

NoTours proposes an augmented aurality experience. In other words, you can add a new layer of reality to your place. You can leave messages, tell stories, create geolocated concerts or just share your thoughts.
The team of noTours.org is looking forward to know your ideas and your possible uses. In fact we are artists and developers. Take a look at some of the sound walks we have made in the world.